This update was sent as an email to all of our email subscribers on April 15. If you don’t already subscribe to our emails, please sign up to receive these emails directly.
—
Dear Knox County Democrats,
It’s been quite a month, hasn’t it? Do you think Trump has made America great yet? The stock market, the price of gas and groceries, and the many recent violations of the rule of law all tell us we are much worse off than we were before January 20. But we in Knox County are a mighty group, so we must press on.
APRIL 5 HANDS OFF! PROTEST
We had an inspiring turnout at the protest on the Mount Vernon Public Square on April 5 – an estimated 300 people showed up with signs and voices to make sure Mount Vernon knows we are here and we care. Many thanks to all who were able to make it!
FUTURE EVENTS
Several different groups around the country (and in Ohio) are working to organize people in protest of the Trump Administration. We are trying to keep tabs on what every group is recommending. Here in Knox County, we have a home-grown, local Indivisible group, as well as Signs on the Square, and we are working with both groups to try to consolidate efforts so that as many people as possible participate in events here in Knox County.
Below are events coming up. If you learn about other events, in Columbus or in nearby counties, and you want to go, by all means do so. But we hope you can all make time for these, which directly affect us in Knox County:
-
Signs on the Square protests every Saturday, 1:00 to 1:30 pm. It’d be great if many of us can attend this protest regularly. It requires just ½ hour out of your day, and can be as inspiring and well attended as April 5 if we all show up. Last Saturday, April 12, more than 50 people were there with signs. Let’s keep that number growing!
-
On Saturday, April 26, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, we hope you will all attend a Town Hall in Baltimore, Ohio. Our Congressman, Troy Balderson has been invited. This event is for all voters in our Congressional District, District 12, which means us! If Balderson shows up, we can all ask him questions. If he doesn’t show up (more likely), there will still be relevant speakers and activities; this is a great way to let Balderson know that we are here and we care! Click here for more details and to sign up.
After you sign up, you’ll receive an email with the address, in Baltimore, Ohio, for the Town Hall. The drive from Mount Vernon to Baltimore is under an hour. Let’s all go!
Looking a little further ahead:
- On Saturday, May 3, Indivisible will again partner with Signs On the Square. The nationwide Indivisible effort will be on May 1, which is a Thursday, and timed that way to honor workers (May Day). But our county Indivisible group and Signs On the Square thought it will probably be more convenient for most people to stick with Saturday protests. Our plan is to be out there, in force, 1:00 – 1:30 pm. For signs, think about issues affecting workers — inflation, grocery prices, minimum wage, cuts in government services to give tax cuts to billionaires — and, of course, any issues that likely affect people who drive around the Square – Social Security, affordable health care, veterans’ services, effects of tariffs on small businesses, to name just a few. One thing about this administration, they leave us with plenty of good sign topics!
TALKING WITH NEIGHBORS
With spring weather upon us, we are planning to go door to door to talk with (and more importantly, listen to) voters who are not registered as either Republicans or Democrats, i.e. the “Unaffiliated.” The goals are to:
-
Learn how our potentially swing-voting neighbors are feeling about the state of the country
-
Offer help where we can
-
Get to know our neighbors so that when the next election comes around we are better than just “door spam.”
We will go door-to-door in pairs, so even if you are unsure about this kind of work, rest assured that you will be paired with an experienced canvasser to help you learn the ropes. This is a great way to get involved, is so important leading up to the 2026 elections, and can be a lot of fun. If you are interested, please click here to sign up.
PERSONAL STORIES
Somewhat related to the above, we want to publicize stories – to shine a light on the difficulties caused by DOGE cuts and other actions by the Trump Administration to people in our county. We want to share your stories on social media and our website, but will keep your identity completely anonymous if that’s what you want. If you have a good story to tell, please click here to tell us about it.
After you complete the form, one of us will contact you and work with you to get your story ready for publication.
Please submit stories about issues that have directly affected you or your family – We want to avoid publishing hearsay in case we incorrectly report any detail. Despite what the MAGAs in our midst may tell you, Dems are scrupulously honest.
MAY 6 ELECTION
This would usually be a primary election, but this year there are no contested Democratic Party or Republican Party races. All Democratic Party and Republican Party candidates will advance to the November ballot.
So, the election this May will be a Questions-and-Issues only election. To learn the details of what will be on your ballot in May, find your registration record by searching for it on the Board of Elections website and then select the blue Sample Ballots button appearing alongside or under your name and address information.
Early voting has already started at the Knox County Board of Elections, 104 East Sugar Street, Mount Vernon.
REMINDER: MORE RESOURCES
-
5 Calls. Set your location, select an issue that concerns you, and you’ll see a list of elected officials (and their phone numbers) to call, plus a suggested script.
-
Daily Call List. Sign up for a daily email with issues of the day and whom to call.
Email slonczewski@kenyon.edu
-
Knox County Ohio Indivisible. This group is working to reclaim democracy by organizing local protests and other events.
Email indivisibleknoxcooh@gmail.com
-
How Things Work at the Ohio Statehouse. Want to understand what’s going on in Ohio? This is probably the best resource. Ohio activist Rachel Coyle provides statehouse advocacy tips, news articles, and regular calls to action to help you make a difference at the state level.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/howthingsworkoh/
Don’t do social media? Sign up for emails: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-how-things-work-at-the-ohio-statehouse
-
See also Pro-Democracy Resources on our website, and tell us about any we have missed!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Please forward this email to friends who might not already receive it. Everyone is hungry to know what we can do to save our country, and I hope this email has been informative. Also, please remind your friends that they can sign up to receive these emails directly here.
Knox County Dems are also active on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. Visit us there at any time, or in our office, 9 E. Vine Street, Mount Vernon, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11 am – 3 pm.
I hope to see you soon.
All my best,
Kathy Tate, Chairwoman, Knox County Democratic Party